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Have You Got A Few Screws Loose?
Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2017 4:50 pm
by tar trekka
Hi there,
My van has a Meranti Frame & over the years she has got a few Screws Loose, particularly around the Windows.
The Screws are around 3.25 MM Diameter.
The Fix:-
Remove the Screw & drill the hole 3 mm Diameter, the depth of the Screw.
Push a 3 mm Diameter Bamboo Skewer into the hole & snap it off.
Replace the Screw.
A nice Tight Fitting Screw again.
Skewers from the "Cheap Shop" for $2 - 3-00 a pack of about 50.
A "Cheap & Easy Fix".
Tar Trekka.
Any day above the ground is a great day.
Re: Have You Got A Few Screws Loose?
Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2017 9:42 pm
by dieseltojo
Yep an oldy but a goody.
I can't say about bamboo but I don't even drill any thing, just stick in a piece of match and break it of.
Re: Have You Got A Few Screws Loose?
Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2017 7:35 am
by rredbeak
ty trekka ill look into that. I use matches as DT .Cheers Rod
Re: Have You Got A Few Screws Loose?
Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2017 8:00 am
by Old Techo
TT, bamboo sounds like a good idea if the bamboo's hole suits the screw size
Yes.... generally I use a match, or better still a hardwood toothpick, broken off in the hole. For a permanent screw I also fill the hole with PVA glue to bond the match/toothpick and damaged orginal wood fibres.
Re: Have You Got A Few Screws Loose?
Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2017 8:20 am
by Frank & Brenda
dieseltojo wrote:Yep an oldy but a goody.
I can't say about bamboo but I don't even drill any thing, just stick in a piece of match and break it of.
My dear old departed pappy showed me that trick
the pva glue sounds like a plan too OT
Re: Have You Got A Few Screws Loose?
Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2017 11:41 am
by tar trekka
Hi there,
I used Match Sticks for many years, however I found them to be too soft.
Bamboo Skewers seem to work better, as they have long fibres along their length.
It seems to provide a better bite for the Screw.
The best way is to drill the hole & Araldite a Plastic Plug into it.
Unfortunately the Window needs to be removed to install the Plastic Plug.
I used that method on the Door Handles & other bits on my 1929 Chev to stop the screws continually working loose in the Timber Frame.
The Chev has been replaced with a 1968 MGB Mk 2 Roadster.
Much more "Driver & Traffic Friendly"
Tar Trekka.
Any day above the ground is a great day.
Re: Have You Got A Few Screws Loose?
Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2017 9:46 pm
by dieseltojo
Good tip tar trekka, especially in caravans with loose door hinges on cupboards etc.